The inspiring mindset Mindy Kaling wants to teach her child

Kelly Kapoor—Mindy Kaling’s character on The Office—would be thrilled right now if her life was like Kaling’s. The actress is newly pregnant, is in a loving, romantic relationship, and has published a successful book. Oh, and the show she writes, produces, and stars in is about to air its sixth season (NBD). (Come to think of it, her alter ego on The Mindy Project would be pretty psyched, too.)

In an upcoming interview on the Sunday Today show (of which a preview clip was just released), Kaling opens up about how excited she is to become a mom. “One of the nice things about becoming a parent is that I’ll be able to openly criticize other parenting because I have a child,” she jokes.

“My mom was incredibly fierce and so devoted to us, just loved us and really wanted us to be happy no matter what we did.”

Growing up, the comedian was actually super close with her own mother, who died in 2012—and the values she instilled are some that she wants to bring to her own kid.

“My mom was incredibly fierce and so devoted to us, just loved us and really wanted us to be happy no matter what we did,” says Kaling (cue heart-eyes). “My career choice was not something that she was familiar with and she was just so supportive of that.” Shoutout to all the moms out there who are cool with their creative type-kids.

The most important thing? Being accepting, just as her mama was. “If I could give that to my child, just that open-mindedness, I’d be so happy,” says Kaling. Sounds like someone already has a “Mom of the Year” mug in the bag.